Possible WWII unexploded Mortar Shell

[ScubaAruba]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the detecting world, today was only the 3rd time I have used my new Minelab Excalibur.
I kayaked out to a wreck to look for gold because there are lots of snorkelers there.

Take a look at what I found. I am pretty sure is an old mortar shell.
If anyone can identify it please let me know.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[Westfront]

Looks like the 60mm mortar for sure. Be careful, i don't think the fuze like salt water. Most of the ones we find here have the Bakelite fuze, yours look like a heavily corroded aluminum one. Stay away from this!
Here's one i found with the Bakelite fuze.

 

[pepperj]

Kind of has that shape to it, careful in handling it just in case.

 

[ScubaAruba]

Yeh I really did not want to touch it once I realized what it was. I moved it away from where the divers go. I think I will give the coast guard a bell.

 

[hbeaton]

Judging from your measurements and the weight (plus the rust/corrosion added to it). Looks like a 60 mm mortar shell with an exposed impact fuze rather than a proximity fuze. However, the other possibility is a practice/training mortar bomb but I think its less likely.

Interesting how it got there. It's known the SS Antilla after being scuttled by the German crew was then fired upon to sink her by the Dutch after realizing they couldn't close her seacocks in time to salvage it, but that was with 37 mm rounds which could not be mistaken for your round. Its also known prior to the scuttling, the Dutch attempted to board her but the Captain of the Antilla did not let the gangway down so the Dutch had to wait til first light where they would attempt to board her again and this time with machine gun setups from the shore. I would imagine as close as she is to the shore that mortars could have also been setup to hit her if needed. Maybe this is one of them?

While the Antilla was a German cargo ship and the war was just getting started while she was traveling into the Caribbean maybe some of her cargo was munition?

Very cool find.

 

[Tnmountains]

Better safe than sorry in a case like this. You at least have the video of a very cool find to share.

 

[ScubaAruba]

Thanks for the relpy.

I went out the next day with the Maritime Police to show them where i left it.
The dutch navy have taken care of it but wont tell me what it was.

It was only my third time using a metal detector, pretty happy with that.
The Navy asked me to remove the original video but now its taken care of I can re post it.